Raise makes Tressel Big Ten's highest-paid coach

Saturday

No one in the Big Ten makes as much money as Jim Tressel, and that’s the first time the Ohio State head football coach has held that distinction.

No one in the Big Ten makes as much money as Jim Tressel, and that’s the first time the Ohio State head football coach has held that distinction.

Ohio State Athletics Director Gene Smith announced a new contract for his football coach Friday, one that will set up Tressel well beyond his coaching years.

Tressel’s pay increase will be phased in this year and will reach $3.5 million next year. That’s a $1 million annual raise over the previous agreement. Tressel, under contract now through Jan. 31, 2013, will receive 3 to 4-percent raises each year.

Making Tressel the conference’s highest paid coach has been something Smith has mentioned in the past. He feels OSU’s coach should lead the conference and be among the country’s top-paid coaches.

“Because of our overwhelming regard for Coach Tressel’s contributions to Ohio State and our football program, we made a commitment toward keeping him No. 1 in the Big Ten and among the top ranks of coaches nationally,” Smith said. “Based upon known compensation figures, this agreement will place him in the top-10 nationally among collegiate coaches.”

The new contract updates language in other areas, including the amount of hours Tressel can use the school’s jet each year and youth summer camps. Tressel’s salary is paid by the athletic department. No public funds are used.

Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz was the conference’s top-paid coach at almost $3 million a season.

Tressel will make more than USC’s Pete Carroll and close to Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops.

“There is no place in the world we would rather be, and we will work very hard to serve Ohio State,” Tressel said. “The goal that Ellen and I have is to make sure these blessings make a difference to others.”

Tressel begins his eighth season as head coach of the Buckeyes today against Youngstown State. He is 73-16, and is one of only four active coaches to have more than 200 career wins (208-73-2). He has taken OSU to three national title games, winning the 2002 national championship. He’s won four Big Ten titles.

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